Disinfectant casing for clinical thermometers



C. L. JONES DISINFECTANT CASING FOR CLINICAL THERMOMETERS Filed Oct. 8, 1923 /2 gjvvue'nto'o 3 JOIKZS) $749 4.

5% RW/ M Patented Dec. 16, 1924.

UNITED STATES CHARLIE L. JONES, OE ALTUS, OKLAHOMA.

DISINFECTANT CASING FOR CLINICAL THERMOMETERS.

Application filed October 8, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLIE L. JONES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Altus, in the county of Jackson and State of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Disinfectant Casings for Clinical Thermometers, of which the following is a specification. I

My invention relates to improvements in sterilizing casings for clinical thermometers.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character, which will hold a sterilizing agent, liquid or solid, in proximity to the tip of the thermometer in a manner to permit of the proper passage of the sterilizing fumes to the thermometer, while preventing the sterilizing material coming in .con tact with the tip, which. might result in poisoning the patient.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character, which is of simple construction, and is strong and durable.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a central vertical. longitudinal section through the same,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the disinfectant holder or receptacle, removed, and,

Figure 4 is a central vertical section through the same. i

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a tubular casing, which is preferably cylindrical.

The upper end of this casing is internally screw threaded, as indicated at 6, for engagement with the annular flange 7 depending from the cap 8, which is preferably milled at its periphery. Arranged centrally within the flange 7 is a depending socket 9, preferably integral with the cap 8, and this socket is adapted for the reception of the upper end of a clinical thermometer 10. The thermometer may be held in this socket Serial No. 667,286.

by any suitable means as by frictional en gagement, or by any suitable adhesive material, such as waX, etc. The cap 8 will therefore hold the thermometer 10' within the casing 5, centrally thereof. The lower end of the casing 5 is provided at diametrically opposite points with inverted L-sha-ped slots 11, for a purpose to be described.

The numeral 12 designates a disinfectant holding receptacle, which is preferably cylindrical and adapted to have a close sliding fit with the interior of the casing 5. This receptacle has its bottom closed by a base 13, preferably integral therewith, and this base projects radially beyond the cas ing 5 and has its periphery milled, as shown. The upper end of the receptacle 12 is preferably inwardly offset, forming an annular shouldered flange 14, for engagement with an outer annular flange 15, carried by a cover 16. These flanges may be held together by frictional engagement, or other means, if desired. The flange 15 is flush with the outer face of the receptacle 12, and hence is adapted toslide with it in the casing 5. The cover 16 is provided centrally thereof with a depending conical mouth or tubular portion 17, having an opening 18 at its bottom. This conical mouth is concentric with relation to the receptacle 12 and decreases in diameter downwardly. The receptacle is designed for receiving and holding a liquid disinfectant material, and the conical mouth 17 will prevent the spilling of this liquid disinfectant material from the receptacle, whereby it cannot come in contact with the thermometer 10, but the fumes may freely pass through the opening 18. The receptacle may also be employed for holding a solid disinfectant material.

The receptacle 12 is provided at diametrically opposite points with studs or trun nions 19, rigidly secured thereto, and adapted for insertion within the inverted L- shaped slots 11. It is thus seen that the receptacle: 12 is removably mounted within the lower end of the casing 5 and is securely held therein against accidental displacement, but may be removed therefrom, when desired. The cover 16 is removable from the receptacle 12, if desired, for filling the same with the disinfectant material, and the flange of this cover may have screw threaded engagement with the flange of the receptacle 12, if desired.

In the use of the device, the'disinfectant material is held within the receptacle 12, and the cap 8 retains the tip of the thermometer above and spaced from the opening 18, in concentric relation thereto. This permits of the fumes from the disinfectant material passing to the tip, but the disinfectant material cannot contact with the tip of the thermometer, and this is important, as it has been found that patients may be poisoned by disinfectant material contacting with the tip of the thermometer or accumulating thereon.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjo-ined claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. A sterilizing casing for clinical thermometers, comprising a tubular casing, a cap removably mounted in one end of the casing and having means for holding a clinical thermometer in the central portion of the casing, and a liquid disinfectant holding receptacle removably mounted within the opposite end of the tubular casing and having a cover provided with aninwardly projecting lip which is substantially conical and decreases in diameter inwardly and is provided at its inner reduced end with an opening said cover preventing the splashing of the liquid disinfectant.

2. A sterilizing casing for clinical thermometers, comprising a cylindrical tubular casing provided at its lower end with an inverted L-shaped slot, a cap removably mounted in the upper end of the tubular casing and provided with a socket concentric with the tubular casing and adapted for receiving the end of a clinical thermometer, a liquid disinfectant holding receptacle removably mounted within the lower end of the tubular casing and having its bottom project-ing radially beyond such receptacle, a cover removably mounted upon the top of the receptacle and provided with a downwardly projecting conical lip decreasing in diameter downwardly and having an opening at its lower reduced end, the lip preventing the spilling of the liquid disinfect= ant from the receptacle, and a pin carried by the receptacle to enter said slot.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CHARLIE L. JONES. 

